‘Harlem Shake’ Record Label Hit By Sample Compensation Claim

“Harlem Shake,” the song written and produced by American DJ Baauer, is front and center of a compensation claim by two artists who allege the record label behind the hit uses their voices without permission.

The song triggered an Internet dance craze following its uploading in February 2013 to YouTube, and mass appetite for the dance meme which has since been homaged by thousands.

“Harlem Shake” begins with the vocals of Delgado, now a evangelical preacher based in Puerto Rico, saying “Con los terroristas,” used as a hook on his 2006 single “Maldades.”

The line “Do the Harlem Shake” originates from the the 2001 song “Miller Time” by Plastic Little, Musson’s former Philadelphia rap group.

“It’s almost like they came on my land and built a house,” Delgado told the New York Times, adding that he was surprised when his former manager, Javier Gómez called him three weeks ago and said his voice was on “Harlem Shake,” a now viral Internet hit sitting atop the pop charts.

On the tsunami of viral videos that were made, the vocal beginning switches to Musson’s voice commanding “Do the Harlem Shake” before costumed dancers proceed to do just that.

Baauer, 23, christened Harry Bauer Rodrigues, has not commented on Delgado and Musson’s claims. However, last month he did admit to finding Delgado’s sample online. As yet, it’s unknown exactly where Bauer first heard the Plastic Little song.